Gold Mining Flourishes Under Cover of Sand Extraction for New Myitkyina-Waingmaw Bridge Project

Pajau Media

May 8, 2025

In Myitkyina, Kachin State, what was initially planned as sand and gravel extraction for the construction of a new Myitkyina-Waingmaw river bridge near the Bala Min Htin Bridge area has expanded into extensive gold mining operations on a mid-river island, according to local residents.

"They started digging sand and gravel for the bridge construction, but gradually began mining gold too. Now there are more gold miners than sand extractors on that island," a Myitkyina resident told Pajau Media.

The project, meant to source construction materials from the river island, has increasingly become a gold mining operation, with gold prospectors now outnumbering legitimate sand and gravel workers.

"Most of those mining gold under the guise of sand extraction are companies. There are at least ten backhoes operating there," the resident continued. "Some displaced people are also doing small-scale mining. With no jobs available due to the political and military situation, they take whatever work they can find. The extracted sand and gravel get stockpiled in industrial zones and vacant plots in Man Hkring ward, then resold by the truckload."

Heavy machinery dominates operations on the island, with both sand extraction and gold mining occurring simultaneously. Many conflict-displaced locals have also resorted to manual gold panning in makeshift pits.

The extracted sand and gravel are reportedly being stored in open fields near industrial zones and empty plots in Man Hkring before being resold to buyers.

News – Hpring